Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green names himself as the best NBA defender of all time

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has established himself as one of the best defensive players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history and a key part of the franchise’s success in the past decade or so.

Green hosts a podcast/show called the “Draymond Green Show” on a weekly basis where he opens up on the world of basketball with various guests and current and former NBA stars. In the latest episode of his show, the 35-year-old was asked by a fan to name his personal top five defenders of all time and he was quick to put himself on top of the list.

“What you should understand about me is that I think I’m No. 1 on that list. Top five to go in order? I’m not a fan of those. But who I would regard as top five? I would definitely put myself on that list,” Green stated.

9x All-Defensive. 5x First Team.
13 years in — still grinding with the young stars 💪🏾

From watching Tim Duncan to being inspired by CP3…
The standard never changes. @Money23Green

#AllDefense #RespectTheGrind #NBA #DraymondGreen #DefenseWins pic.twitter.com/rY5IaVMEqR

— The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis (@DraymondShow) May 27, 2025

Green went on to add that all-time greats like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain would not make his top five list, not because they were not great but only because he has not seen enough of their games to pass the “eye test” of experiencing their greatness in flesh.

“Ben Wallace is on that list, in my opinion, Tony Allen is on that list, Tim Duncan is on that list. And the last one on that list? My fifth would go to – who I did have the opportunity to see very young in my life, but more film around him – Hakeem Olajuwon. That would be my top five. My top five in no particular order are myself, Ben Wallace, Tony Allen, Tim Duncan and Hakeem Olajuwon,” he added.

The forward does have the achievements to give his take on defensive greats, considering that he was named the 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, made the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team four times in his 13-year NBA career.

“Also, understand that I’m not including Wilt Chamberlain, I’m not including Bill Russell. I didn’t see them play. I have the utmost respect for those guys – the pioneers – the utmost respect. But I’d be lying to you if I’m like, ‘Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain.’ Like, I’d be just going off of stats, and I don’t love when people do that, because there’s an eye test, and I haven’t seen enough of their games to say that,” Green concluded.

In addition to his defensive prowess, Green is also a four-time NBA champion, the 2017 NBA steals leader, and a four-time NBA All-Star.

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